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DN Galen Story, by Bob Ramsak, Results by IAAF, Notes by Larry Eder

Well, the Powell vs. Bolt was good, the Defar solo race was even better and then, Sanya Richards over Allyson Felix, 50.38 to 50.88, with Novlene Williams in the middle?

In the 1000 meters, notice Chris Lukesic in 2:18. Craig Mottram wins the 3,000 meter sin 7:37 with lots of company. Matt Tegankamp in fourth and Kevin Sullivan in seventh-not bad for an old guy.

And speaking of nice doubles, Adam Nelson went two for two. He won on Sunday and Tuesday in Stockholm!

Meseret Defar came tantalizingly close to regaining the world record in the 5000m while Asafa Powell took a narrow victory over world record holder Usain Bolt in the 100m at the DN Galan Super Grand Prix in Stockholm tonight.

Defar, the reigning Olympic champion in the 5000m, running solo from the two kilometer point onward, produced a brave run, crossing the line in 14:12.43, the second fastest performance ever. Six weeks ago, her Ethiopian rival Tirunesh Dibaba clocked 14:11.15 in Oslo, but in the Norwegian capital, Dibaba had help later in the race, something Defar was missing in Stockholm. She closed with a 60.37 final lap to cap a last kilometer in 2:43.20. After glancing at the clock she fell the track in tears, and perhaps in pain as well.

- Confidence Boost for Powell

In the evening’s most eagerly anticipated face-off, former world record holder Powell edged Bolt, the current standard bearer, in the 100m by a mere 0.01 seconds in 9.88. The two fastest men in history lined up in lanes four and five, with Powell, propelled by a terrific start, gaining the early advantage. Bolt began to make up ground in the second half but fell just short as both men appeared to look at the other as they neared and crossed the line.

It was the pair’s first “real” competitive meeting since Bolt claimed the world record with his 9.72 run at the Reebok Grand Prix in New York on May 31. Bolt defeated Powell at the Jamaican championships a month ago but both acknowledged that the goal there was to simply finish in the top-three to secure Olympic berths.

Coming less than two weeks after pulling out of Golden Gala meet in Rome with a minor groin injury, Powell’s victory will be a confidence booster as he heads to Beijing, still in search of his first major title. Next up for Powell is another stirring match-up in London on Saturday where he’ll face world champion Tyson Gay in the 100m. Bolt too is headed to London, but will run the 200m.

- Robles’ Ride Continues – 12.91

Dayron Robles continued his hot streak in the 110m hurdles, producing yet another blistering performance. Making up a slight deficit over the second half of the race, the 21-year-old Cuban underscored his Olympic favorite status with a scorching 12.91 performance, the year’s third fastest. Robles also has clockings No. 1 and 2 this season, his 12.87 world record from Ostrava, and his 12.88 from Paris last Friday.

Two-time Olympic silver medallist Terrence Trammell was out best, jumping to slight lead over the first few barriers. But as Robles began pulling away beyond the midway point, Trammell pushed too hard and hit the eighth barrier, knocking him out of contention. In his first outing since taking the U.S title, David Oliver closed well to finish second in 13.04 while Trammell drifted to fourth (13.35).

- Kaki’s Homestretch Strenght Prevails over Longer Distances too

800m phenom Abubaker Kaki fell short in his world record assault in the 1000m, but still produced an impressive victory 2:13.93, to move up to No. 7 all-time. The Sudanese teenager led at the bell, but was shadowed closely by Yusuf Saad Kamel. Kamel couldn’t match kaki’s now trademark finishing strength and held on for second (2:14.72), with Olympic 800m champion Yuriy Borzakovskiy, who was fifth entering the final turn, finishing third (2:15.50).

- Elsewhere, Wariner, Vlasic, Gomes and Isinbayeva Impress

In the men’s 400m, Jeremy Wariner had some unexpected company as he entered the homestretch, but quickly disposed of Bahamian Chris Brown’s brief threat en route to a decisive 44.29 victory. Brown held on for second in 44.53.

Blanka Vlasic of Croatia needed a second attempt to sail over 2.02m to secure her 34th consecutive victory, and her 31st straight two meter clearance. Yelena Slesarenko, the reigning Olympic champion, topped out at 2.00m to finish runner-up. Rounding into form, Slesaranko cleared a season’s best 2.03m at the Russian Championships on Sunday.

Naide Gomes put together what was by far the most impressive series to dominate the long jump. A former heptathlete, the Portuguese opened with a solid 7.00m effort in the first round, and improved to 7.04m in the second, equalling world leader. Displaying remarkable consistency, she reached 6.97m in the third, a jump that would have handily defeated runner-up Brittney Reese (6.80m) the U.S. champion, and Swede Carolina Kluft (6.71m).

Yelena Isinbayeva took another easy victory in the pole vault, her 4.85 clearance enough to beat vaulting Poles Monika Pyrek (4.70m) and Anna Rogowska (4.60). U.S. record holder Jenn Stuczynski didn't compete, pulling out with a minor back problem.

In the women's 400m, the head-to-head between Americans Sanya Richards and 200m world champion Allyson Felix didn't quite materialize. In control throughout, Richards cruised to a comfortable 50.38 win, well ahead of Jamaican Novlene Williams (50.85) who edged Felix (50.88) over the final few strides.

Lauryn Williams closed well to take a close women's 100m race in 11.10, ahead of Marshevet Hooker (11.13) and Bahamian Chandra Sturrud (11.14).

In the 3000m steeplechase, Swede Mustafa Mohamed led at the bell, but Kenyan Michael Kipyego was right on his shoulder. Despite creating a small gap midway through the final turn, Kipyego drew even over the final hurdle and went on to take the win in 8:14.35. Wesley Kiprotich also swept by the fading Swede over the final few meters to take second, 8:14:52 to Mohamed’s 8:14.77.

With a 54.5 final lap, Australian Craig Mottram produced an impressive victory in the 3000m, winning in 7:37.73, well clear of Kenyan Isaac Songok, who closed 7:38.97.

Olympic javelin champion Andreas Thorkildsen dominated the field, winning with an 87.36m effort. In the men's high jump, 2.30m as enough for Olympic champion Stefan Holm to take the victory.

- Diamond mining

Meet records in Stockholm are rewarded with one karat diamonds, and a small handful of the $10,000 rocks were mined this year. Defar, Robles, Kaki and Isinbayeva all took home one of the most unique souvenirs offered on the Grand Prix Circuit.

Bio: Larry Eder has had a 44 year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub 4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Track & Field to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts and RunBlogRun.
Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says:
"I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself."